How to Build a Multi-Storefront Setup with MedusaJS

DTC brands and retailers are rolling out multi-storefront strategies to serve global customers, launch new product lines, and split B2B from B2C operations. From startups entering new regions to established brands personalizing experiences by market, the demand for multi-storefront ecommerce has never been higher.

The problem? Legacy platforms like Shopify and Magento make this process clunky and expensive. Shopify locks advanced multi-store capabilities behind Plus pricing and multiple app integrations, while Magento's multi-store setup often leads to bloated, hard-to-manage infrastructure.

Enter MedusaJS. This open-source, headless ecommerce engine is quickly becoming the go-to choice for brands that want native multi-region support, API-first flexibility, and lower costs. Instead of fighting platform limitations, MedusaJS empowers teams to launch and manage multiple storefronts with speed, freedom, and scalability.

A multi-storefront setup involves running a single backend system that powers multiple frontends, each tailored for a different region, brand, or customer type. Instead of maintaining separate ecommerce platforms for each store, you centralize operations (products, inventory, orders, and workflows) while giving every storefront its own unique experience.

This approach is crucial because today's shoppers expect personalized, localized experiences. A single storefront rarely fits all customer needs—especially when you're expanding globally, managing multiple brands, or serving both consumers and wholesale buyers.

Everyday Use Cases for Multi-Storefront Ecommerce

• Global Stores with Region-Specific Pricing: Sell in multiple countries with localized currencies, tax rules, and promotions. Example: A US store in USD and a European store in EUR with different shipping logic.
• Multi-Brand Retailers Under One Roof: Manage several brand identities from the same backend while keeping product catalogs, discounts, and frontends separate.
• DTC + Wholesale (B2B + B2C) Hybrid Setup: Run a consumer-facing storefront alongside a wholesale portal with bulk pricing, account-based access, and custom workflows.

With a multi-storefront architecture, you keep operations lean, avoid duplicate work, and scale faster without hitting platform limitations.

Not all ecommerce platforms are built to handle multi-storefront setups efficiently. Traditional SaaS solutions often lock essential features behind enterprise tiers, while legacy platforms add layers of complexity. MedusaJS, on the other hand, was designed with flexibility and scalability at its core, making it an ideal choice for brands that need multiple storefronts.

• Native Multi-Region Support: MedusaJS includes built-in support for managing different currencies, tax rules, and localized pricing. This makes it easy to run a US storefront in USD, an EU storefront in EUR, and even tailor promotions or discounts per region all without extra apps or complicated workarounds.
• Decoupled Frontends for Unique Experiences: Because MedusaJS is fully headless, each storefront can have its own UI/UX, powered by frameworks like Next.js, Gatsby, or Nuxt. Your DTC site might emphasize storytelling, while your wholesale portal focuses on bulk ordering and both connect seamlessly to the same backend.
• Composable Commerce by Design: MedusaJS follows a modular, API-first approach. That means you can integrate local payment gateways, region-specific logistics providers, or third-party CMS tools without being limited by platform restrictions. Each storefront gets exactly the stack it needs, while your backend remains unified.
• Cost-Effective Compared to SaaS Platforms: Unlike Shopify Plus or CommerceTools, which require expensive subscriptions or licensing for multi-store capabilities, MedusaJS is open-source under the MIT license. You get enterprise-level functionality without enterprise-level fees, making it far more cost-effective as your business scales.

With this combination of native multi-region capabilities, frontend freedom, composability, and cost efficiency, MedusaJS sets itself apart as the smarter foundation for modern multi-storefront ecommerce.

Setting up multiple storefronts in MedusaJS is straightforward thanks to its headless, API-first design. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Set up the MedusaJS Backend

• Install MedusaJS using the CLI (npx create-medusa-app) or via Docker for faster deployment.
• Configure your core backend with products, carts, and orders.
• Define regions (e.g., US, EU, Asia) to handle localized currencies, tax rules, and shipping profiles.

Step 2: Add Multiple Storefronts

• Choose frontend frameworks depending on your needs—e.g., Next.js for a US storefront and Gatsby for an EU storefront.
• Connect each storefront to the Medusa backend via its REST or GraphQL API.
• Since the frontends are decoupled, you can design each store with unique branding and customer experiences.

Step 3: Configure Pricing and Currency per Region

• MedusaJS allows you to set pricing rules at the region level.
• You can define multi-currency pricing, localized promotions, and tax rules so each storefront feels truly local.
• For example, a product priced at $50 in the US can display as €45 in the EU with VAT included.

Step 4: Localize Checkout and Payments

• Integrate popular payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, or Klarna on a per-region basis.
• Add support for region-specific methods (e.g., iDEAL in the Netherlands, Afterpay in Australia).
• Customize checkout flows to ensure each storefront meets customer expectations while maintaining a centralized backend.

Step 5: Test and Deploy

• Run integration tests to ensure all storefronts pull data correctly from the backend.
• Optimize load handling by leveraging Medusa's modular architecture.
• Deploy using Medusa Cloud for managed hosting or set up custom hosting on providers like AWS, Vercel, or Render.

You'll have a multi-storefront MedusaJS setup that combines centralized backend efficiency with localized customer experiences, something legacy ecommerce platforms make costly and complex.

When it comes to managing multiple storefronts, not all platforms are created equal. Let's look at how MedusaJS stacks up against Shopify and Magento:

Shopify

• Multi-storefront setups typically require Shopify Plus, which comes with a high subscription cost.
• To localize payments, currencies, and promotions, you'll often need third-party apps, adding both complexity and recurring fees.
• Headless commerce is possible, but it's limited to Shopify's Hydrogen framework, and customization often feels constrained.

Magento (Adobe Commerce)

• Magento offers native multi-store capabilities, but the setup is notoriously complex.
• Managing performance, customizations, and integrations across multiple storefronts often demands significant developer resources and high hosting costs.
• While flexible, Magento can quickly become bloated, making it less attractive for lean teams or fast-moving DTC brands.

MedusaJS

• Open-source and completely free under the MIT license.
• Designed from the ground up for headless, API-first commerce, making multi-storefront setups far easier to manage.
• Lightweight and flexible—you can launch and scale storefronts without dealing with enterprise paywalls or unnecessary complexity.
• Built with developers in mind: modern Node.js/TypeScript stack, modular architecture, and an active plugin ecosystem.

While Shopify and Magento both support multi-storefront ecommerce, they come with costs and trade-offs. MedusaJS offers a developer-first, open-source alternative, providing brands with complete control without the need for enterprise lock-in.

Running multiple storefronts shouldn't mean higher costs, complex integrations, or vendor lock-in. That's the challenge with platforms like Shopify and Magento, where scaling across regions or brands often leads to expensive add-ons and rigid workflows.

MedusaJS changes the equation. With its native multi-region support, API-first flexibility, and open-source foundation, it gives you complete control over your ecommerce stack while keeping operations lean and future-proof. You can even take professional MedusaJS Development Services to accelerate your setup and ensure scalability. Whether you're expanding into new markets, managing several brands, or balancing B2C and B2B, MedusaJS is built to scale with you.